'We'll be ready to step in' - Govt on stand-by as Cyclone Gita set to cause widespread disruption

February 20, 2018

Kris says if the government needs to step in it will if needed.

The government is on stand by as the remnants of Cyclone Gita approaches New Zealand. 

Click here for the latest weather developments. 

Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi told media this morning they were monitoring the situation, and urged people in areas affected by the weather to expect power outages and possibly road closures. 

Civil Defence and local councils told residents in the West Coast, Marlborough, North Canterbury, Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Taranaki areas to remain vigilant, check local forecasts for their area and prepare for the storm this afternoon.

Winds are expected to gust up to 150km/h and wave heights could be up to 8m in some areas. The landfall of Gita also coincides with a high tide, which could cause some coastal inundation.

Mr Faafoi said Cyclone Gita has been downgraded to a former cyclone, "so hopefully that means it doesn't pack as much of a punch".

"We think the local Civil Defence groups are as prepared as they possibly can be… if there needs to be any government assistance we'll be ready to step in," Mr Faafoi said. 

Asked if we have reserved cash set aside for any damage the storm could cause he said: "We've just got wait for things to happen". 

"We're keeping an eye on those areas we think are most likely going to be affected."

Mr Faafoi said West Coast areas had not called a State of Emergency.

"The main message is for people to be prepared as much as they possibly can be."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said they were "prepared and ready" for the storm, and warned people in affected areas to expect disruption to travel, "and please just be careful". 

The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that State Highway 1 has been closed north and south of Kaikoura due to heavy rain and the risk of slips and rockfalls.

Steady rain is falling on the West Coast and around Nelson, and crews working to keep storm water drains open and roads free from flooding.

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